‘Ok. That is why I brought you here, you look like a guy that knows your way around New York.’
Brian nods.
Galvin wraps open one of those intricate maps under the candle light. He starts explaining his plan. He wants Brian to show him the most secluded streets to Lower Manhattan.
‘Well, we are not far away from Riverside Boulevard. I think if can get there and then run across the park - it will be a long walk down the Hudson River shore line, which is not only good because it is literally a straight line down to Lower Manhattan, but it is also good because we will stay clear from all the main roads.’
Galvin nods. ‘I think that is a great route.’ He then stares at the suitcases blockading the door. ‘It is already night time. I don’t think it would be wise to head out. I also think it would be wise if we stay bunkered up for an extra day here.’ He looks at Brian. ‘Don’t you think?’
‘Yeah I think that is probably for the best. If we can get everyone fully rested and mentally prepared, it makes sense.’
‘I don’t know if they are more active at night or daytime.’ Galvin says.
As if on cue, a loud shrill came from outside. Brian and Galvin rushed to the suitcases and took a little one off, where they could have a peek.
Then another scream came - followed by a gargling sound.
Jeesus…that sound. Brian thought.
Outside not from the apartment was a woman sitting on her knees. The street lamp above shining a perfect halo around her – as if God was ready to take her – but not yet. It was as if she was half awake and half gone, she was now staring straight at them. But her eyes were - tilting, showcasing flesh underneath.
Then, something crept in view from behind her.
(24)
After Brian and Galvin saw what happened that night under the street lamp, they were reminded by a burning thought: the streets were not safe – at all. Brian had no quarrel with the Sergeant’s idea of staying an extra day. In fact, he welcomed it. He felt safe here. He felt like he could let his guard down for once.
During the night he could not sleep, he was reminded by the voices he heard but could not see with his own two eyes. It was already one thing dealing with what was going on; he had no time for his mind playing tricks on him. That night he went up to the balcony and introduced himself to more other people. He listened to each ones story, some hard breaking, and some just gruesome. He was reminded of how normal life was just a week before. How people went to work, did there thing, went home, watched some TV, ate some food, kissed their loved one on the cheek and said goodnight.
Look at it now, life was turned upside down in a matter of days. People that would never have even said hello to each other – now sticking together like a pack of gum, even relying on them to watch their back.
Brian also spent more time with Sarah that night. They were the only two ones left on the balcony when all the others went to sleep. She had nightmares apparently, and had to get some fresh air. Brian actually enjoyed her company, they were roughly the same age (he has not asked her, but you just know when you know). She was also not only beautiful, but very smart.
Later that night, around one in the morning, he went to sleep.
With bracelet in hand, (the one Elizabeth gave him), he fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.
(25)
A few hours later. They never saw it coming.
Screams.
How horrible it is to wake up in a fucking room you never even planned on booking for the night. To wake up to people screaming. And not just your normal oh-I-just-saw-rat scream. These were life and death hollers.
Brian barely had time to get up when his door slammed open. It was one of the older men he had conversation with not long ago on the balcony.
‘Get up quick! we need to get the he–’
Then Brian saw it. He might have been half awake. But he saw it alright.
Before the man could finish his sentence he was dragged away from Brian’s door, not by Sergeant Galvin, but by an unknown person, with blood shining on mouth.
More screaming, if Brian had to take a guess who that was, that was Elizabeth.
Brian got up and shoved his feet into his shoes. He was half way to his door when–
Three of them ran past his door, shouting in a language unknown to him.
Cold sweat running down his back - was the only thing he took notice of. He shut his door and ran back to his bathroom. Thank God it had a bathroom. He locked himself in and just as he did–
His room door opened up. Footsteps were running rampant inside, unable to tell how many.
They were sniffing the air.
Fuck fuck fuck. They can smell me can’t they? Brian thought.
[A few seconds of silence]
Brian fell backwards onto something solid. He might have hit his head on a washing basin. But that was the least of his worries, something was scratching the door. Not for long. The scratching was now banging. They howled like a pack of wolfs, probably telling the others: Hey we got one locked inside!
Time was now ticking away. The door would not hold onto its hinges for long. In fact, one hinge already fell out.
The only other exit was the window.
How far down is it? Brian thought.
He did not care. Glass shattered. He was out.
(26)
This was how it felt to be shell-shocked. Brian thought.
Bees were now playing a rock concert in his mind. Blood was running freely. The drop was further than he expected.
He drifted away. Not for long though…he had...he had to…wake u–
(27)
His eyes opened and he saw fire burning down the road, followed by more screaming. He realised there was no time. His adrenaline was now on full go and probably the only thing keeping him alive. He got up from the floor like a zombie rising from its grave. He knew where he had to run to. And that was far away from here and straight to where he told Sergeant Galvin: On the side of Hudson River.
(28)
Brian was too tired to walk like a normal human being. He was limping forward to what looked like sunshine. It was so bright that he had to close his eyes and hope he was walking straight to it. He did not know what it fucking was, but it sure was bright and beautiful.
Don’t let me go back there. Take me to the light. I can still hear screaming back there. I am so thirsty. I am so tired. So so tired.
Brian was now dragging his right leg with him.
Please, I need water. I am so…so tired. What happened to the others? What happened to Sergeant Galvin? What happened to Sarah? Shit…I can’t take it anymore. Veora is still relying on me to save her husband. Who the hell I am kidding, they are probably dead by now.
With eyes still shut, he rummaged his pocket.
I…I still have the bracelet.
The brilliant light ahead magnified ten times.
‘DO NOT MOVE. IF YOU MOVE WE SHOOT.’
I swear I can hear people speak. Brian thought.
‘DO NOT MOVE. I REPEAT. STAY WHERE YOU ARE.’
Brian stood still. Eyes closed. He raised his arm in the air with the bracelet dangling from his fingers. It’s little woven hearts glinting.
‘YOU THERE. RAISE YOUR OTHER ARM IF YOU ARE NORMAL.’
Brian raised his other arm.
I am so tired. Too tired. What is that light. What happened to the others?
‘GET DOWN THERE! MEDIC STAND BY – WE HAVE A NORMAL’
Epilogue
It’s been over three months now since Brian Amsden, miraculously made it to the safe zone in Lower Manhattan. He was however – severely hurt when he got there and almost lost his life due to internal bleeding. Luckily, there were medics on standby.
When the outbreak happened, everyone, including the government had absolutely no idea why it happened. They struggled furiously to uncover the source. A few weeks later, they had a surprising stroke of luck when they stumbled upon the pharmaceutical dru
g: K-29. All leading evidence pointed to it. Sure enough, after a few more days of testing, it was the culprit. They still do not know why the drug had such a severe influence on the brain. There are many theories. It is still on going, and will be for many years. The government is already bringing in stricter laws that prohibit the use of any drug prior to any testing.
It was a miracle that the outbreak only happened where it did and not more places. Even though they got it under control by quarantining off areas – it is important to note that of the 8 million inhabitants, 1.5 million died. (Veora and her husband made it thanks for Brian).
Brian will be attending his best friend’s funeral in the upcoming days. He is also trying really hard to get in contact with the woman he shared a few moments with at the bed and breakfast hideout. Sarah. Even though Brian still does not know if he was the only one to get out of there alive, he still hopes to find her.
So far he has had no luck in finding her…YET.
Part two out on Amazon US / UK
In book one of the series. Brian Amsden met a woman named Sarah Rali. He always wondered what happened to her, after that night.
This is her part of the story; this is what happened to her during the outbreak.
Sarah Rali lives in New York and is a workaholic (she thinks it is fine), her dad does not. She keeps putting off her family and personal life - and soon learns that she would not only regret it, but loath it.
Sarah would soon discover - that the days leading after: Wednesday, September 17, 2014, would be far from normal.
In fact, some people will prefer a more - warmer meal.
Part three out on Amazon US / UK
So, when the world goes ape shit, it is usually the good guys that get hurt the most right?
Wrong.
Sometimes, the bad, even the ones that planned it, gets it worse.
We follow Bill Rhino the sixty year old and his mistress Jeena, a woman half his age and from the Philippines. They embezzle money from a drug company (which will make a medical drug skip its preliminary tests, and go live for use. So no one knows the side effects. Not until some weeks later…when people start to get the urge to eat others…)
Oblivious to this, all Bill wants to do is get to Hong Kong, where he plans to retire for the rest of his life, and sleep in money. He won’t get far, in fact, the plane will never leave JFK airport.
The Need For Flesh (Apocalyptic Cannibalism Book 1) Page 6
